Montauk Community Notes, May 7

When my day off rolled around last week, I grabbed a hand mirror and climbed up on a little footstool to take a look at what’s happening in the robin’s nest on top of our porch light right outside our front door. On Thursday there was one little turquoise egg. When I checked on Sunday morning there were two eggs nestled down in the soft, grassy lining. I’ve been reading up on nesting habits of robins. I learned that robins don’t sit on their eggs to keep them warm until they’ve laid all the eggs for a specific clutch, typically three or four, usually produced one egg per day, in the morning. Till then, the mother bird stays near the nest but not necessarily on it, while she forages for worms and other food. This way she incubates all the eggs with her body heat beginning at the same time, so all the chicks hatch at once and are about the same size.If I part the lace curtains on our front window, I can see from inside the house whether or not the mother robin is sitting on the nest. She stares warily right at me. When one of us goes in or out the front door she bursts out of her nest and then hops back and forth on the front lawn, all the while protesting with loud chirps. Sometimes I forget and I’m quite startled by the sound of wings rushing near my head. When the baby birds hatch, we’ll just have to change our habits and use the back door.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Along with wishing all Montauk moms a pleasant and relaxing holiday, I’ll highlight some happenings around town that might be especially fun.

On Friday, Sarah Conway and the Playful Souls kick off their season at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett. Bring mom down for an eclectic mix of great tunes, from country rock to blues, jazz, and gospel: Klyph Black on bass, Dan Koontz on keys, Bosco Michne on guitar, Dave Giacone on drums, and special guest, Jim Campagnola, on sax! The show begins at about 8:15 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m. with a cover charge of $10.

The next morning, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. there’s a Doggie Social as well as Community Yard Sale, “Treasures from the East,” at Second House. Mom and the kids can enjoy two exciting events in one! On site you’ll find an ARF mobile adoption van. This ingenious dual event is sponsored by the Montauk Historical Society and ARF, and it’s free with ample parking space. Proceeds go toward the upkeep of Second House Museum as well as supporting ARF.

If mom likes classical music, escort her to the free Spring Concert at Montauk School gym, celebrating the return of Music for Montauk on Saturday at 4 p.m. The concert, hosted by Lilah Gosman, features spring seasonal selections from Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and more, and includes mezzo-soprano Rachel Calloway.

Directly following, mom might enjoy seeing her friends at Music for Montauk’s Spring Awakening Party where she’ll meet the artists and hear about the 2015 season over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at Gosman’s Restaurant, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets for the party, $25, are available at Naturally Good Foods and Café or visit www.musicformontauk.org. A portion of ticket sales help support Music for Montauk’s 2015 season.

Montauk Youth’s 11th annual Mother’s Day 5K Run is this Sunday, May 10. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; the race itself starts 8:30 a.m.. Start and end downtown at the gazebo. This race is traditionally a chance for moms and families to have fun and is not strictly competitive. Run, scooter or stroll together around scenic Fort Pond. A donation of $15 is suggested. For details, contact Montauk Youth at (631) 668-1540 or by email at montaukyouth@gmail.com.

At Montauk Community Church, Pastor Bill Hoffmann said it’s perfectly all right for moms and families to run right on down to church afterward, in running clothes if need be, to get to church by 10 a.m. services.

By the way, the summer season’s opening Rummage Sale of the MCC Women’s Guild is on Saturday, May 23, from 9 a.m. until noon, rain or shine. Thereafter, sales continue Saturday mornings through Labor Day weekend. I’ve started jotting down a list of odds and ends I need around our house and garden that I can probably find at rummage. It beats trekking all the way to stores in Bridgehampton. When I go to the church, I bring a few items for donation to leave in the shed. Somebody in town can probably use what I no longer need, and that’s good recycling! Remember, please don’t leave any heavy items or big furniture, which are difficult for the Guild ladies to lift.

Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, the concert scheduled for the evening of May 9 at Montauk Library, “Songs My Mother Taught Me—a Tribute to Mothers and Motherhood” has been canceled.

On Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the library, join culinary nutritionist Stephanie Sacks, who will give a talk on “How to Jump Start Healthy Eating.” Ms. Sacks will inform on how making small changes in food choices can make big differences in your diet. This event is free, registration is not necessary.

The library will be closed on Sunday in honor of Mother’s Day.

Moving forward to the next week, on Saturday, May 16, at the library, baking coach Lisa Basini demonstrates how to make crepes from scratch, starting at 1 p.m. Space is limited, so sign up this week at the circulation desk. There’s a tasting fee of $5, and if you like, bring a cup of coffee or tea to enjoy with your crepe creation.

On Sunday, May 17, at 3:30 p.m. at the library, composer and pianist J.K. Hodge discusses the history of music in films. He’ll perform a concert of selections of his work, including a composition that he’ll play during a screening of Buster Keaton’s silent film, “Neighbors” (1921). This event is free.